NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State soccer team opens Missouri Valley Conference play Saturday versus Drake at 7 p.m. at Adelaide Street Field.
The Redbirds have won the past two regular-season MVC titles and have won the past four MVC Tournaments. ISU enters the match 3-5-2 after playing to a draw with Western Michigan and defeating Central Michigan last week.
Both matches went into double overtime and ISU played a total of 215 minutes of soccer. Hannah Rodgers scored the game-tying goal Friday in the 88th minute on a penalty kick while Lauren Koehl scored the game-winner in the 105th minute Sunday.
ISU features a balanced offensive attack with nine players who have recorded two points or more. Four players are tied for the team lead in goals with two, and Rodgers and Brianne Richards are tied for the point lead at six.
Defensively, ISU allowed just one goal in 215 minutes last week, and Abby Van Deventer was named the MVC Defensive Player of the Week. In the net, Vanessa Niestrom recorded eight saves and her first shutout of the season Sunday against Central Michigan.
Kickoff Saturday is set for 7 p.m. and admission is free to all home games.
Series Histories
Illinois State is 10-5-2 all-time against Drake. The Redbirds defeated the Bulldogs, 2-0, last season and have won the last 10 matches. Seven of the last eight wins have been shutouts. Of Drake's five wins against ISU, two have come at Adelaide Street Field.
How to follow along
There will be a live audio broadcast for every ISU match this season. All home games will have a live video broadcast on Redbird HD.tv. In addition, live stats will also be available and all links can be found on GoRedbirds.com.
The Eric Golz Show
This week's edition of The Eric Golz Show can be listened to here.
Promotions
There will be an RB4L social event prior to the match. The social will be held at Adelaide Street Field from 4:30 p.m.-6:45 p.m. and will include food and beverages. Letterwinners will receive complimentary food and beverages, and for all other guests, it will be $10 per adult and $5 per youth ages 12 and under.
Admission to the match is free for all fans. To register for the social, alumni must email AthleticsEvents@ilstu.edu with their name, years played at ISU, and the names of guests, if any. Advanced reservations are required and payment will be collected at the social. A confirmation message will be emailed with event details, directions and parking.
GoRedbirds.com:Â Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
